Pete Trewavas, English bass player and songwriter
Peter Trewavas, born on January 15, 1959, is a highly regarded English musician, best known for his long-standing role as the bassist for the acclaimed progressive rock band Marillion. He joined the influential group in 1982, taking over from Diz Minnitt, and has since become an integral part of their sound. Beyond his primary role on bass guitar, Trewavas also contributes occasionally as a backing vocalist and acoustic guitarist, showcasing his versatile musicality within Marillion's intricate compositions.
Early Life and Musical Foundations
Although Peter Trewavas was born in Middlesbrough, a town known for its industrial heritage in North Yorkshire, he spent a significant portion of his formative years in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. This town proved to be a crucial environment for his early musical development. It was in Aylesbury that Trewavas immersed himself in the local music scene, becoming involved with several bands. Among these early ventures, he achieved notable success with a group called The Metros, which served as a vital stepping stone before he embarked on his enduring career with Marillion.
Beyond Marillion: A Prolific Collaborator in Progressive Rock
While maintaining his full and active membership in Marillion, Peter Trewavas has consistently explored diverse musical avenues, establishing himself as a sought-after collaborator in the progressive rock community. His commitment to creative exploration extends beyond his primary band, contributing to several significant projects.
- Transatlantic: Trewavas is a founding member of Transatlantic, a critically acclaimed progressive rock supergroup. This ensemble features a stellar lineup of musicians, including Neal Morse (Spock's Beard, The Neal Morse Band), Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs), and Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings). The formation of Transatlantic offered Trewavas a platform to delve into longer, more elaborate progressive compositions, often playing a crucial role not only on bass but also contributing to keyboard parts.
- Kino: In 2004, Trewavas co-founded another notable group named Kino. This project brought together a formidable collection of talent: John Mitchell from Arena, John Beck of It Bites, and Chris Maitland, formerly of Porcupine Tree. Kino's sound blended melodic progressive rock with more accessible elements, showcasing Trewavas's adaptability across different stylistic nuances within the genre.
Edison's Children: A Creative Outlet and Solo Endeavor
In 2011, Peter Trewavas embarked on a deeply personal and creatively expansive project, forming the duo Edison's Children with his longtime friend and collaborator, Eric Blackwood. This venture was specifically designed to serve as a unique creative outlet for Trewavas, allowing him to step beyond his traditional "band" or "group" roles primarily focused on bass and acoustic guitar.
Exploring New Musical Roles
With Edison's Children, Trewavas embraced an unprecedented level of artistic control and instrumental diversification. He significantly expanded his sonic palette, taking on roles such as:
- Lead guitar
- Lead vocals
- Drum programming
- Keyboards
- Symphonic orchestral programming
- Guitar synthesizer
- Various Middle-Eastern instrumentation
This project granted him full creative control over the writing and production of the music, working in close partnership with Eric Blackwood to realize their shared vision.
Album Releases and Chart Success
The duo's debut offering was the ambitious 72-minute concept album, In The Last Waking Moments..., which delves into the profound narrative of a man grappling with the line between reality and a descent into madness after a bizarre happening. The album was symbolically released on November 11, 2011 (11.11.11).
Edison's Children quickly gained traction with the release of their single "A Million Miles Away (I Wish I Had A Time Machine)." This song made its debut on American Commercial Radio in June 2012. By September of the same year, it had achieved remarkable success, breaking into the FMQB U.S. Commercial Radio Top 40, where it impressively remained for 10 weeks. The track continued its presence in the top 100 for a total of 25 weeks, peaking at a significant No. 32 position, an exceptional achievement for a progressive rock-oriented project on commercial radio.
Live Performances and Further Releases
Edison's Children also ventured into live performances, notably opening for Marillion's "Brave" performances during the Marillion 2013 Weekend. These shows included stops in Montreal, Canada; Wolverhampton, England; and Port Zelande, Netherlands. The Montreal concert was officially recorded and subsequently released as a B-Side on their "In the Last Waking Moments..."-EP Single, providing fans with a tangible memento of their live energy. The UK show was later featured on their subsequent album, Somewhere Between Here and There.
Their second album, The Final Breath Before November, was released on December 13, 2013. This album benefited from an impressive lineup of mixing engineers, enhancing its sonic landscape: Jakko Jakszyk, the lead singer of King Crimson; John Mitchell, lead guitarist of both It Bites and Arena; and Robin Boult, lead guitarist for Fish (Marillion's former vocalist). The album prominently featured Eric Blackwood on lead vocals, guitar, and composition, alongside Henry Rogers of DeeExpus and Touchstone on drums. Peter Trewavas himself co-wrote and produced the album with Eric Blackwood, contributing lead guitar and lead vocals on numerous tracks, in addition to his signature bass work and programming for the album's symphonic orchestration.
Looking ahead, Edison's Children anticipated the release of their third album, Somewhere Between Here and There, in June 2015. Described as a "bridge album," it was planned to include seven new songs alongside six original mixes from The Final Breath Before November, meticulously crafted by King Crimson's Jakko Jakszyk and John Mitchell. This release also included a live version of "A Million Miles Away" recorded in Wolverhampton, UK. Following this, work had already commenced on a fourth, more epic album, which was expected to showcase a "harder" edge compared to the more symphonic nature of The Final Breath Before November.
Noteworthy Appearances and Musical Contributions
Peter Trewavas's career is dotted with various interesting anecdotes and contributions to other significant musical endeavors:
- "Sweet Pea Tremendous": On September 17, 2012, during a Marillion concert at The Junction in Cambridge, an amusing moment occurred when frontman Steve Hogarth playfully announced that Trewavas was now to be known as "Sweet Pea Tremendous." This moniker was the humorous result of running his name through an anagram solver, highlighting the band's camaraderie.
- Prog Aid: Trewavas lent his talents to Prog Aid, a commendable charity project established to raise funds for the victims of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. His participation underscored the progressive rock community's commitment to humanitarian causes.
- Guest Musician: In 2007, Trewavas appeared as a guest musician on The Difference Machine, an album by the highly respected English progressive rock band Big Big Train, further demonstrating his versatility and demand as a session player within the genre.
Instrumental Versatility
While Peter Trewavas is primarily recognized for his masterful bass guitar playing, his musical capabilities extend far beyond this core instrument. Throughout his career, he has showcased a remarkable range of instrumental proficiencies:
- Keyboards: During his time with Transatlantic, Trewavas has been known to contribute to and even write keyboard parts, adding layers of texture and melody to their expansive compositions.
- Acoustic Guitar: Within Marillion, he has occasionally featured on acoustic guitar, notably on tracks such as "Faith" and "Now She'll Never Know," demonstrating a sensitive touch.
- Edison's Children: It is with Edison's Children, however, that Trewavas's multi-instrumental prowess truly shines, as he frequently takes on roles including lead guitar, lead vocals, symphonic orchestral programming, guitar synthesizer, drum programming, and even incorporating various Middle-Eastern instrumentation, revealing a deep artistic curiosity and skill set.
Personal Details and Resilience
On January 11, 1999, Peter Trewavas endured a severe incident when he was hit by a car while cycling home from the Racket Club studio, Marillion's recording facility. He sustained multiple serious injuries, requiring a period in intensive care and undergoing surgery on his leg. His resilience and determination were evident in his recovery and continued dedication to his music.
Beyond his musical life, Trewavas is known to be a dedicated fan of the prominent English football club, Manchester United F.C.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Peter Trewavas
-
When did Peter Trewavas join Marillion?
Peter Trewavas joined Marillion in 1982, replacing their previous bassist, Diz Minnitt.
What other bands is Peter Trewavas a member of?
In addition to Marillion, Peter Trewavas is a member of the progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic and co-founded the group Kino. He also formed the duo Edison's Children with Eric Blackwood.
What instruments does Peter Trewavas play besides bass?
While primarily a bassist, Trewavas also plays acoustic guitar, keyboards, lead guitar, performs lead vocals, and handles drum programming, symphonic orchestral programming, guitar synthesizer, and various Middle-Eastern instrumentation, particularly in his project Edison's Children.
Has Peter Trewavas had any commercial radio success with his side projects?
Yes, his project Edison's Children's single "A Million Miles Away (I Wish I Had A Time Machine)" reached No. 32 on the FMQB U.S. Commercial Radio Top 40 in 2012.
What is the significance of "Sweet Pea Tremendous"?
"Sweet Pea Tremendous" is a playful nickname given to Peter Trewavas by Marillion's frontman Steve Hogarth, derived from an anagram of his name.